10-Day China Tour from Istanbul

Our tour begins with a meeting at Istanbul Airport at 17:00. At 20:10, we depart for Beijing with a comfortable flight on Qatar Airways, with a layover in Doha. We will spend the night on the plane.

Upon our arrival at Beijing Daxing Airport in the afternoon, we will be transferred to the city center by our private vehicle and check into our hotel. After a short rest, we will begin our visit to Tiananmen Square with our guide. This vast square, located in the heart of China, is surrounded by impressive structures such as the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong, the Monument to the People's Heroes, and the National Museum of China. Here, we have the opportunity to see significant traces of Chinese history from a panoramic perspective. The remainder of the day is free for you to enjoy at your leisure. Guests who wish can explore local restaurants in the area for dinner. Overnight in Beijing. Accommodation at our hotel in Beijing: JI Hotel Beijing Andingmen 4.

After enjoying breakfast at the hotel, we set off with our guide to explore the historical treasures of Beijing. Our first stop is the Forbidden City, which served as the home to the Ming and Qing Dynasties for 500 years. We will take an in-depth tour of this UNESCO World Heritage site, consisting of 890 structures, including the palaces, throne halls, and ceremonial areas where emperors lived. For lunch, we will enjoy a menu featuring traditional flavors of Chinese cuisine at a local restaurant. Next, we will visit the Temple of Heaven, famous for its symmetrical architecture and symbolic structures, where emperors prayed to the heavens. This area is also protected by UNESCO and is a magnificent example of Chinese belief and aesthetics. At the end of the day, we return to our hotel. The evening can be enjoyed as free time. Overnight stay at our hotel in Beijing: JI Hotel Beijing Andingmen 4 etc. Lunch is included. Dinner is excluded.

Today, we set off early in the morning from our hotel to explore the Great Wall of China, the most recognized symbol of China worldwide. After a journey of approximately 1.5 hours, we arrive at the less crowded and uniquely scenic Mutianyu section. This massive defensive structure, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and dating back to the 7th century BC, is one of the most striking engineering examples in Chinese history. We take a cable car to the top and walk along the wall while enjoying magnificent panoramic views. Guests who wish can also descend by sled. After this impressive visit, we will have lunch at a local restaurant. The menu will feature regional and authentic flavors of Chinese cuisine. On our return journey, we will visit a Pearl Workshop, where we will gain general information about pearls, get to know different types of pearls, and learn how to distinguish between real and fake pearls, with the opportunity to shop. In the evening, we return to our hotel. The remainder of the day can be enjoyed as free time. Overnight at our hotel in Beijing: JI Hotel Beijing Andingmen 4 etc. Lunch is included. Dinner is excluded.

After an early breakfast at our hotel, we will transfer to Beijing West Railway Station with our luggage. We will embark on a journey to experience China's modern and comfortable railway system, departing at 07:00 on the high-speed train (Train G87). This journey will take approximately 4 hours and 19 minutes, during which we will enjoy a relaxing ride while observing the rural landscapes and city transitions of China. Upon our arrival at Xi'an North Railway Station at 11:19, we will make a short transfer to the city center. Before our lunch, we will begin a half-day tour that allows us to feel the historical essence of Xi'an, the ancient imperial capital. Our first stop will be the Xi'an City Walls, one of the best-preserved city walls in China. Guests who wish can enjoy a pleasant exploration here on foot or by bicycle. Next, we will have a panoramic tour around the iconic Glockenturm (Bell Tower) and Drum Tower. After the tour, we will transfer to our hotel and check into our rooms. The evening will be free for you to enjoy at your leisure.

After enjoying breakfast at our hotel, we set off to visit the Terracotta Warriors Museum, one of China's most important archaeological treasures. We reach this impressive site after approximately a 1-hour journey from the city center. This army was created to protect the tomb of China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, in the 3rd century BC and consists of around 8,000 life-sized terracotta soldiers, horses, and chariots. Discovered in 1974, this unique site is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Accompanied by our guide, we closely examine the excavation sites, exhibits, and details of the figures. Next, we enjoy lunch at a local restaurant featuring traditional Chinese cuisine from the region. We will also visit the Replica Workshop, where we will have the opportunity to closely observe how the Terracotta Warriors were produced in ancient times. After the tour, we return to our hotel. The evening is free. Guests who wish can take a short walk in the city or explore local markets, guided by our tour leader. Overnight at our hotel in Xi'an: Union Alliance Atravis Executive Hotel 4 (or similar). Lunch is included. Dinner is free.

After an early breakfast at our hotel, we will check out and transfer to Xi'an North Railway Station. We will embark on a high-speed train (G360 service) to Shanghai, one of the most advanced train lines in China. During this comfortable journey of approximately 6 hours and 20 minutes, we will witness the stunning landscapes that showcase China's nature, from its cities to the countryside. Upon our arrival at Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station in the early afternoon, we will transfer to our hotel in the city center with our private vehicle. After settling into our rooms, the rest of the day will be free time. Guests who wish can take a walk along The Bund, explore shopping opportunities on Nanjing Road, or enjoy dinner at restaurants recommended by our guide. Overnight at our hotel in Shanghai: Charms Hotel Shanghai 4 (or similar). Lunch and dinner are excluded.

After enjoying breakfast at our hotel, we will embark on a full-day city tour of Shanghai with our guide. Today promises to be a colorful and rich day where we can experience both modern and traditional China. Our first stop will be the Jade Buddha Temple. This sacred site is one of Shanghai's most important temples, housing two precious Buddha statues made of white jade. Next, we will visit the Yuyuan Garden, built during the Ming Dynasty in the 16th century, which reflects traditional Chinese architecture, along with the historic bazaar filled with souvenir shops and antiques. We will have lunch at a local restaurant featuring a menu rich in examples of Chinese cuisine. After lunch, we will head to a silk workshop to learn about Shanghai's traditional textile culture. Here, we will observe the silk production process and take a short break for shopping. Later in the day, we will reach The Bund, an area that shapes Shanghai's skyline. This historic region along the banks of the Huangpu River offers a unique contrast between European-style buildings and the modern skyscrapers across the river.

After enjoying breakfast at our hotel, we will check out of our rooms in the early afternoon. On our last day in Shanghai, you can go shopping in the city, take a stroll around the area, or enjoy some free time to relax. Guests who wish to do so can make their final purchases at Nanjing Road or nearby markets with the guidance of our tour leader, or take one last walk along The Bund. In the evening, at a time determined by our guide, we will transfer to Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG) in our private vehicle. Later at night, we will have our flight to Istanbul via Doha.